Patrick (Pat) Roy Yardley

Patrick (Pat) Roy Yardley, 76, passed away July 12, 2021 in St George, Utah, after battling a courageous fight with cancer.

Pat was born July 2, 1945 to William Roy Yardley and Mildred Lindsay in Cedar City, Utah. Pat grew up in Beaver, Utah working on the farm with his father. He was a real cowboy and loved moving cattle on the mountain range. Pat had a love for the country lifestyle of raising hay, feeding and raising cattle, riding horses, training cow dogs and being outdoors. Pat enjoyed showing steers at the Livestock Show and then loved watching his kids and grandkids show steers as well. As a boy, Pat loved playing with his friends, being with his dog and carrying around his BB gun in the Frog Holler neighborhood.

Pat spoke fondly of his extended family of Lindsay’s and Yardley’s and enjoyed family gatherings they often had. He had a happy childhood. Pat loved his brother Bruce, two sisters, Nancy and Susan, and their spouses and loved his nieces and nephews. Family picnics on Sunday afternoon up in the Beaver mountains was a family tradition. Pat learned to be a great deer hunter from all of his Lindsay uncles and cousins.

Pat graduated from Beaver High School where he was involved in football, track, basketball and FFA. While in high school, Pat joined the National Guard in the 222nd Field Artillery. After turning 19, Pat served a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in New Zealand, where he loved serving the Mauri people. He experienced many miracles on his mission solidifying his firm foundation in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At the end of his mission, his parents Roy and Mildred picked Pat up from New Zealand and had the wonderful opportunity to travel the world and see many countries and wonders of the world. Pat continued his service in the National Guard after returning from his church mission. Pat attended Southern Utah University and Brigham Young University where he studied Animal Science.

Pat was married to the love of his life, Kathryn Lund on July 18, 1969. They were sealed in the St George LDS temple. Pat and Kathy loved attending the temple and enjoyed spending time there over the years. They have 6 children and 26 grandchildren. Pat loved his family and spending time with each of them. He loved to sing, dance and play with each of his grandchildren. Family life brought Pat so much joy. He enjoyed attending his children and grandchildren’s activities. He was their biggest fan and felt so happy to have a special relationship with each of them.  

Being a Cattleman and Rancher was also a joy in Pat’s life. He felt a genuine comradery and respect for his fellow Cattlemen, Associates and Hired Men. He loved working side by side with his father Roy, and his children. He was also joined by his father-in-law, Hal Lund who liked to be with his grandkids while working on the farm.

Pat’s happy and positive demeanor was loved by all those who knew him. He was generous and compassionate to anyone in need, always cheerful and rarely complained. Spending time in the Beaver Mountains, horseback riding, camping, were some of his favorite things. Pat and Kathy had many wonderful experiences picking their sons up from their foreign missions. One of Pat’s passions was learning to scuba dive and had fun diving with Kathy and many friends through the years.

Pat loved to serve in his community. He served in many church callings including Young Men’s Leader, High Council, Bishopric Counselor, and Scouting. Pat was a positive influence on the lives of many he worked and associated with. Pat served in many civic committees as well as a Beaver County Commissioner for 4 years where he made many wonderful friends. Pat and his wife Kathy played a key role in planning and building the walking path surrounding the Canyon Breeze golf course in Beaver.

Pat was an avid reader and could always be found delving into the latest action thriller, LDS Church History or World History book. He was a Church Historian in his own right. Pat’s passion  for missionary work continued as he served with his wife Kathy in his community and assisted the full-time missionaries. He felt blessed to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with so many friends and neighbors in Beaver. Pat and Kathy currently have three grandchildren serving full-time missions for the LDS Church. This was one of Pat’s proudest moments to see all of his grandchildren serve church missions.

Pat loved holidays and enjoyed spending time with his family making special memories and enjoying family traditions. He loved having people over for dinner and would love to BBQ for anyone. Pat and Kathy were best friends and loved spending time together. They were often found laughing and making up rhymes and jingles for their family and friends.

The family wants to thank every family member, friend, acquaintance, fellow ward member who selflessly served Pat and Kathy through the long and hard years of his cancer battle. Your acts of service were tender mercies to us and will never be forgotten.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Mildred, his brothers Ronald and Bruce, his sister Susan Moyes, his son Matthew, his daughter-in-law Christy Yardley, and grandchild Charlie Sefita.

Pat is survived by his wife Kathy, his sister Nancy and (Blake) Smith of Beaver, Utah, his sons Ryan and (Amy) Yardley of Hurricane, Utah, Randy and (Kim) Yardley of Cedar City, Utah, Eric Yardley of Provo, Utah, Kyle and (Ashley) Yardley of St George, Utah, his daughter Lacey and (JD) Carter of St George, Utah, brother-in-law Gary and (Donna) Lund of Farmington, NM and 26 grandkids.

The family wishes, in Lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the Southwest Jr Livestock Scholarship fund in honor of Pat Yardley. Venmo @Pat-Yardley or make checks payable to Southwest Livestock Show and mail to 133 S House Rock Dr, Cedar City, Utah 84720

Viewings in Pat’s Honor will be held in the Beaver Stake Center Sunday, July 18th from 6:00-8:00 pm and on Monday, July 19th from 9:30 am to 10:45 am. Funeral Service will follow at 11:00 am in the Beaver Stake Center.